COSC 311 - Fall 2013 - Homework 4 - Due Sept. 18
1. What are Polya’s steps in problem solving? Name them and describe each in a
sentence or two.
For each of the following, you are to prove the theorem, but show how
you have developed your proof by the naming the methods (ForwardBackward, Construction, Choose, Specialization)1 that you are using
and labeling the steps A1, A2, . . . , B1, B2, . . . as we have done in
class. You will not receive full credit if you do not identify the methods
and label the steps!
2. If s and t are rational and t 6= 0, then s/t is rational. (Recall that a number is
rational if it can be expressed as the ratio of two integers.)
3. The equation x2 − 5x/2 + 3/2 = 0 has a real solution.
4. If a, b, and c are real numbers with a ≥ 0, then the function f (x) = ax2 + bx + c
satisfies the property that for all real numbers x and y, f (x) ≥ f (y)+(2ay+b)(x−y).
5. If n is an integer greater than 2, a and b are the lengths of the legs of a right triangle,
and c is the length of the hypotenuse, then cn > an + bn .
1
We will cover the Specialization Method on Monday, but if you want to start on your homework, you
can probably figure it out for yourself from the file “Summary of proof techniques from Solow” on the
course website.